As sweater weather continues, snowmaking a magical solution

To begin with, I do not intend to bore you with the same-o same-o, but we have enjoyed another week of sweater weather. In fact, today I was in the car and glanced at the temperature which was at 53 degrees — and that was 10 a.m. this morning! We are faring better than Denver (almost). I hope that we don’t suffer for this later.

I must admit that I also needed to get into the museum for stuff for the Rico Historical Society in preparation for the Rico Women’s Club Noel Night beginning December 7, and knowing just how cold it is in there during wintertime, I put on my heaviest jacket and a ski hat to brave the stone-cold! One of the Rico Historical Society’s pending projects will be for some kind of heating system, but that will be in the distant future.

We speak of the lack of snow, and the only good thing that I can think of from it is the fact that our residents had plenty of time, late or not, to stock up on their wood supply.

The Telluride Resort opened their mountain last week. Snowmaking has totally given us great skiing whether we are having a drought or not. All they need are some cold, cold nights to make the magic snow. I remember way back when, when skiing on Howelson usually began around Thanksgiving and we had two pairs of skis — a set called “rock skis” to use on the rocks and grass and a thin snow base, and when conditions got better we changed to our better pair. Oh, the good ol’ days.

Good news! Marily and Gerry Griebel are grandparents again. Stefan and Sheryl Griebel of Boulder have a beautiful baby girl named Simone. She weighed in at 8 pounds 2 ounces and is a healthy, happy little sweetheart — and she likes to sleep from time to time! We congratulate Stefan and Sheryl on their happy-time life they are building.

Many of you will remember longtime Rico-ites Audrey and Maurice (Morty) Ozborn. Morty passed away quite a few years ago, but Audrey, after losing Morty, moved to a spot called Queen Valley, Arizona — at least, that is what I remember. We received a call from Marianne Koskie of the Lewis area a few days ago; I believe that many of you remember her. Anyway, she had just returned from the Fort Collins area and had a special message to deliver to Audrey’s friends in this area. The two of them were friends from way back when, and she visited Audrey, who is now enjoying life at an assisted living residence in Fort Collins. She has all of her facilities about her and is as sharp as a tack! And, Audrey is 95 years young. She was a teacher and also busy in the community, and a longtime member of Rico Women’s Club. She and friends like Lonnie Cole, Ruth Benham, Rhea Curran, Ann Ferando, and Lucy Fahrion took good care of Rico and its heritage. In those days, the Women did all the old timers’ reservations and other duties by hand. Gone are those days since Lynne Swank and her late husband, Archer (Dennis’ uncle) offered to set up the computerized system for R.W.C.! Hooray! Getting back to Audrey, she would be very happy if some of her old acquaintances would care to contact her or send a note catching her up on the different families she once knew. Her address is 4828 S. LeMay, Apt. #2204, Fort Collins, CO 80525-9402. Her phone number is 970-482-1584.

Herk’s restaurant is closed for cleaning and spiffing up the place. They will open on Wednesday, Dec. 5. Hours will be 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. six days a week, and on Sundays they will serve brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and then the usual menu the rest of the day. Their phone number is 967-4663.

The Hotel is, once again, open after the slow season Thursday through Saturday from 5 to 8:30 p.m. and open all holidays including Christmas. Chef Eamonn O’Hara serves the $15 entree menu from 5 to 6 p.m.! The Hotel is also open for overnight guests.

Marlene Hazen has lived in Rico for two decades. An active member of the community, she participates in organizations such as the Rico Women’s Club and Rico Historical Society.

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Monday, March 30

SouthWest Colorado Concerts presents Quartetto Gelato at M-CHS at 7 p.m. This Canadian quartet is known for clever programming and humor and...